2014 -- S 2215 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/02/14

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE AGING IN COMMUNITY OF 2014

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: January 30, 2014

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 66.11
THE AGING IN COMMUNITY ACT OF 2014

42-66.11-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Aging in Community Act of 2014."

42-66.11-2. Legislative findings. -- The legislature finds and declares:

(1) The number of Rhode Islanders sixty-five (65) years of age and older is projected by the state planning office to grow from 152,000 in 2010 to 189,000 in 2020 and to 248,000 by the year 2030.

(2) The 2010 U.S. Census established that Rhode Island had the highest percentage of persons age eighty-five (85) years and older, an age group that has the highest dependency needs and an increased need for long-term care services and supports.

(3) Surveys consistently show most older persons prefer to remain in their own homes and community for as long as possible.

(4) Community-based support services and programs, such as Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, respite services, and senior centers, play important roles in helping older persons to "age in community" thereby preventing or postponing institutionalization, reducing Medicaid costs for long-term care facilities, and reducing caregiver burden.

(5) Adequate funding for demonstrated cost-effective home and community support services, such as Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, and respite programs is essential to reducing the use of long-term care facilities by low-care residents; to saving Medicaid costs for the state; and to helping unpaid caregivers keep frail elders and adults with disabilities living at home.

(6) State funds to support Meals on Wheels and respite services decreased by sixty-three percent (63%) from fiscal year 2003 to fiscal year 2014 and there exists a waiting list for these essential services.

42-66.11-3. The aging in community plan. -- The chair of the state long-term care coordinating council shall create an aging-in-community subcommittee the purpose of which shall be to develop a plan to provide the needed infrastructure and program improvements in support services, housing, and transportation that will enable the state's growing elder population to safely remain living at home and in community settings. The aging in community plan shall include an inventory of available services, identification of service and program gaps, and resource needs. In addition to members of the long-term care coordinating council, the subcommittee shall include those members of the state's academic community with expertise in aging services and community-based, long-term supports and services as the council deems appropriate.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

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LC003257/SUB A
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